Buzz Lightyear Soft Openings

Our rumor about a short soft opening (dress rehearsal) last week didn't
pan out (combining some technical issues with a surprising line outside,
those in charge called it off) but there have been several opportunities
for cast members, resort hotel guests, and finally last Friday, just general
park guests to ride. Early reviews are starting to pop up on our MousePad
message board (link,
and another link)
and are mostly positive.

The new color scheme introduced by Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters continues
to expand with the underside of the old People Mover/Rocket Rods track
getting a coat of the lighter blue. The new colors generally look good,
but they are also a bit busy. And since there are many elements with the
older brown-gold color that cannot easily be repainted, it is not so simple
as just shifting to a new color scheme. At this point, you can stand in
the middle of Tomorrowland and see a lot of different colors in use.

Blue continues to spread around Tomorrowland. Also visible is the new paint job at Star Tours. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The official opening of the attraction has been announced as March 17
with a press event on the morning of that day. Although nothing if official,
it is generally accepted among cast members that the Calling All Space
Scouts A Buzz Lightyear Adventure stage show is being shuttered
to avoid a Buzz (over)kill. The official final performance has not been
announced, but the park calendar at Disneyland.com no longer listed after
Sunday, April 3.

Rumble in the Jungle

According to MousePlanet columnist David Koenig, guests should not be
alarmed about show elements disappearing from the Jungle Cruise in mid-Februarytwo
weeks before the ride went down for refurbishment. One former skipper
wondered if the early removal of the native uprising was a
bow to political correctness.

A current Adventurelander puts him at ease: Although I can see
how what the ex-skipper said about the native uprising scene could be
perceived as a [public relations] move in the same vein as the semi-recent
Pirates [of the Caribbean] updates, this is not the case. The native uprising,
along with the baboon family on the Veldt, and the alligator before Schweitzer
Falls were simply taken out about a week before the ride went down just
to get a head start on the refurbishment, and nothing more.

That being said, we should be expecting a very different
Jungle when the ride comes back up May 5. On the Thursday before the ride
went down for rehab, skippers took some [Walt Disney Imagineering] people
around, and they were pointing out things that they want to change during
the rehaband there were a lot of them. I'm sure some will be nixed
because of budget concerns, but some of the things they were saying were
very ambitious, and will add new technologies to the ride and a new level
of skipper interaction with the surrounding scenes.

Construction update

A quick run-down of construction and refurbishments around the resort:

The toy store section of the Emporium has reopened and looks very
good. Lighting has improved, cash registers moved about, and new flooring
and fixtures installed.

This is the area of Emporium that used to be a large island of plush merchandise. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Still no official word on what is being done to the Innoventions exterior.
It is obviously a paint job, but unclear whether it is just a touchup
or a more dramatic effort, perhaps influenced by the new colors being
used elsewhere in Tomorrowland.

The wall is down from around Star Tours as that paint job is complete.

Work proceeds quickly on Mark Twain Riverboat as most of the work is just painting and general repairs. Though screens are up, the new gold-colored trim can easily be seen.

Various parts of the Mark Twain are behind screens, but the new gold is visible on the top level trim. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A closer view of the new gold-colored trim at the top of Mark Twain Riverboat. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Enchanted Tiki Room is also quickly getting the final touches in place for its return to action next weekend. This last week the new attraction sign went up and peaks over the construction wall.

The return of the attraction sign is getting a response from eager fans of the attraction. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

50th Feedback

Three items from David's More
on the 50th column (March 1) also received tremendous reader
response. First, David says it turns out he and his sources were unaware
that the idea for a powered launch on Space Mountain had been
scrapped months ago.

As one insider explained:

I've heard repeatedly from Tomorrowland folks who would know
that the three lift hills are staying the same technology-wise. There
won't be LIMs [linear induction motors] going in. And when I saw the
lifts being built, I didn't see anything that looked like LIMs or would
suggest anything other than chain lifts. I do know that the show effects
themselves are radically different in the lift sequences, and it's the
one part that most guests will notice as being different. Space Mountain
Paris 2.0 that opens next month uses a lot of the same show effect technology
as ours. So when that opens in Paris and the first few ride reports
and possible videos or pics come in from France, that should offer a
good idea as to what is coming our way effects-wise.

Also the 're-entry tunnel' was reworked heavily from a Show perspective.
And the station, while similarly set-up with the queue location and
boarding area, is noticeably different and updated from the pictures
I've seen. They showed some of the station recently on Cast TV, and
the differences were very visible. The new station is much more modern
looking, more 21st century mod rather than Jimmy Carter mod.

Second, participants in the Happiest Faces on Earth photo murals report
that Disney promised to e-mail them the approximate location of their
photos.

David was prescient, however, in his fears about the new fireworks show
being too popular. A cast member agreed:

The new fireworks show in particular looks to be amazing. But
from an Operations standpoint, I'm very worried about summertime Guest
Control issues. This show is entirely focused on the Hub, and all of
the nifty sight gags and special effects are aimed at those standing
in the Hub or the top third of Main Street. When word gets out after
a few weeks that the only real way to see the amazing Tinker Bell effect,
or the Mansion stretching room effect, or the Castle images, etc., is
to be in the Hub, I fully expect people to start staking out their spots
for the fireworks in the afternoon. The Hub only holds a few thousand
people, and it could be like New Year's every night this summer if 35,000
people all start trying to get into the Hub before the fireworks show.

I'm really surprised that they didn't at least try to offer something
for the 12,000 people around the River who will have just seen the 9:00
p.m. Fantasmic, or any of the thousands of other people who watch
the fireworks from the Small World Mall, Fantasyland or Tomorrowland
area. It's all about the Hub, and if you aren't there, you're only going
to get about 60 percentof the show. Once folks figure that out, it's
going to get ugly I'm afraid.

State of the Resort

Disneyland Resort President Matt Ouimet gave a State of the Resort presentation to Anaheim politcal and business leaders last week. Among the big three opints in that presenation, the lesser two were that Disney contributed more than $10 million to local causes in 2004 and that the resort generates $3.6 billion in third -party economic impact to the region and supoprts more than 65,000 jobs.

The big announcement (at least for those not in the room) made it official that Space Mountain is ahead of schedule and will be opening sonoer than the announced November date. Much sooner, on July 15 just in time for the 50th anniversary. Here is the full text of the press release following the announcement.

As the countdown begins to May 5, 2005, and the launch of the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, the Happiest Homecoming on Earth, another countdown is now underway in Tomorrowland for the re-launch of Space Mountain. The anticipation has begun as one of the most popular adventures at Disneyland gets ready to blast-off into a new era of thrills!

Were very happy to announce that Space Mountain will re-open on July 15 as one of the many celebratory festivities leading to our actual 50th anniversary on July 17, said Matt Ouimet, president of the Disneyland Resort, during a State of the Resort presentation today for local government and business leaders. Guests will find the classic elements they love, combined with new technology and special effects that make the experience even more of a 'wow!"

Space Mountain, the high-speed interstellar adventure that has captivated Disneyland guests since its debut in 1977, re-opens following nearly two years of enhancements and improvements. As the signature attraction of Tomorrowland, Space Mountain will once again beckon guests to its gleaming white spires and ominous slopes to experience anew the intergalactic adventure inside.

The attraction will return to its regular flight schedule with enhanced narrative elements and state-of-the-art special effects within the attraction and queue area, while retaining its essential theme and flight path through the dark reaches of outer space.

Ardent Space Mountain fans will find the attraction sporting a new generation of special effects, new rocket vehicles and a brand-new, custom soundtrack. Through an all-new queue and hi-tech launch port inspired by todays era of space exploration (Mars Rover, Hubble telescope, etc.), guests will feel as if they have a first-hand look into the cosmos.

After boarding their rockets, guests will be wowed by a feeling of disorientation in the launch tunnel, hurling them towards a close encounter with a large meteorite. Following an exhilarating race through space, the experience will culminate with a new finale featuring a longer re-entry tunnel filled with spectacular lighting effects.

The initial concept for Space Mountain originated with Walt Disney himself back in the mid-1960s, when it was known simply as Space Port and destined to become an addition to Tomorrowland at Disneyland. The concept became a reality in 1975 when, after more than a decade of planning, the first incarnation of Space Mountain actually premiered in the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Space Mountain had its southern California premiere at Disneyland two years later on May 27, 1977. The U.S. Mercury Astronauts, Americas first men in space, were on hand for the grand opening ceremonies and to christen the 118 foot tall mountain.

The re-launch of Space Mountain joins an incredible array of new and exciting adventures, attractions and spectacular entertainment premiering at Disneyland during its Happiest Homecoming on Earth 50th anniversary celebration, launching May 5, 2005. Other highlights include the fun-filled and interactive Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland, the spectacle of Walt Disneys Parade of Dreams, Remember . . . Dreams Come True, (the biggest fireworks spectacular in Disneyland history), the engaging retrospective Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years and the energetic Block Party Bash at Disneys California Adventure.

Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips,
rumors, and comments. E-mail us here.

Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland
Resort. For convenience sake, we have grouped the discount offers based
on the number of days the tickets are valid. Check out the category that
best matches the amount of time you plan to spend at the resort, and pick
the offer which works best for you. And keep those tips coming - let us
know if you find a better / different offer, so we can share it with other
readers!

One Day

No discounts offered to the general public for single-day admission.
You might find discounted tickets, starting at around $41 for ages
10 and up, through your employer, student organization or professional
association. Check with your group activity office or human resources
department.

Two Days

Southern California 2Fer Ticket ($53/$43) through April 28,
2005  The spring resident salute discount
is a 2Fer ticket, with one admission to Disneyland and one admission
to Disney's California Adventure on two different days. Purchase
the ticket card in advance at Southern California-area
Vons and Pavillions grocery stores (or at the Disneyland Web
site), scanned and activated at the time of purchase. Walk up
to the main entrance, present the ticket card and proof of Southern
California residency to gain admission.

Tickets: $53 for ages 10 and older, $43 for ages 3 to 9. You must
use the second admission within 30 days of the first admission,
or by April 28, 2005, whichever comes first.

According to the official promotion details, Southern California
residents can buy up to eight 2Fer tickets per day, but each member
of your party must be able to provide proof of Southern California
(zip codes 90000 through 93599) or Baja California (ZIP codes 21000
through 22999) residency to use the tickets.

Reader James tells us that he purchased these tickets at the
Disneyland Resort ticket booths, and was allowed to purchase the
tickets for his out-of-state relatives. He says his relatives were
never asked for proof of residency.

Southern California 2-Day Park Hopper at 1-Day Park Hopper Price
through April 28, 2005  Residents of Southern California
and Baja California, Mexico, can purchase a standard 2-Day Park
Hopper pass for the price of a 1-Day Park Hopper. It appears this
offer is available only online at Disney's Web
site (you need to enter an eligible ZIP code).

Tickets: $73 for ages 10 and older, $63 for ages 3 to 9. You must
use the second day of admission within 30 days of the first admission,
or by April 28, 2005, whichever comes first.

According to the official promotion details, Southern California
residents can buy up to eight passes per day, but on only two days
in any seven day period. Expect each member of your party must be
able to provide proof of Southern California (zip codes 90000 through
93599) or Baja California (zip codes 21000 through 22999) residency
when presenting the tickets at the main entrance.

Good Neighbor Hotel Park Hopper Plus tickets($105/$85)
through April 28, 2005  Disneyland resort Good Neighbor
hotels can offer a 2-Day Park Hopper Plus ticket at $105 for ages
10 and up, or $85 for ages 3 to 9. No advance purchase is required,
and some hotels may even sell them to visitors who are not staying
at that property. These tickets are valid through April 28. 2005.

AAA Flex Passport ($98/$78)  Some AAA offices offer
a 2-day Flex Passport at $98 for ages 10 and up, or $78 for ages
3-9. This ticket does not require a hotel or package purchasecheck
with your local office to see if the ticket is available in your
area.

A reader let us know that AAA offices in Oregon and Idaho do
not offer the 2-day version of this ticket, but instead offer a
3-day pass.

Three Days

AAA Flex Passport ($129/$99)  Some AAA offices offer
a 3-day Flex Passport at $129 for ages 10 and up, or $99 for ages
3-9. This ticket does not require a hotel or package purchase -
check with your local office to see if the ticket is available in
your area.

Good Neighbor Hotel Park Hopper Plus tickets($114/$114)
through April 28, 2005  Disneyland resort Good Neighbor
hotels can offer a 3-Day Park Hopper Plus ticket for $114, ages
3 and up. (Adults and children pay the same price) No advance purchase
is required, and some hotels may even sell them to visitors who
are not staying at that property. These tickets are valid through
April 28, 2005.

City Pass ($172/$129)through March 31, 2005
 The CityPass includes a three-day Disneyland Resort park
hopper ticket, one-day admission to Knott's Berry Farm, one-day
admission to SeaWorld in San Diego, and one-day admission to either
the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The CityPass
is $172 for ages 10 and up, and $129 for ages 3-9, and expires 14
days after first use or April 1, whichever comes first. You can
buy CityPass at the Disneyland Web site, at the Disneyland Resort,
at the other theme parks included in the pass, or directly from
the CityPass Web site (link).

City Pass($185/$127) effective April 1, 2005
 Starting April 1, 2005, the cost of a CityPass increases
to $185 for ages 10 and up, but decrease to $127 for ages 3-9. The
pass also comes with one early admission into Disneyland. The CityPass
still expires 14 days after first use. Purchase CityPass through
the Disneyland Web site, at the Disneyland Resort, at the other
theme parks included in the pass, or directly from the CityPass
Web site (link).

Costco City Pass promotion ($149.99/$114.99)through March 31, 2005  Costco is offering the
Southern California CityPass for $149.99 for adults, and $114.99
for children ages 3 to 9. You must use the first admission by March
31, 2005, and the pass expires 13 days after the first admission
is used.

Available at Southern California Costco stores or at the Costco
Web site (link).
Non-Costco members can buy the tickets via the Web site with a 5%
surcharge. A shipping fee applies to Internet orders.

3-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets($109/$109)($139/$109)
 The park hopper bonus tickets currently include one early
entry admission to Fantasyland and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. If
the Disneyland resort portion of your trip concludes by May 11,
2005, you can take advantage of the Adults Play for the
Kids' Price special. Through this advance purchase offer,
3-day park hopper tickets for ages 3 and up are $109, a savings
of $20-50 off the main gate price. Expires 13 days after first use
or May 11, 2005, whichever comes first.

If you plan to visit the Disneyland resort after April 28, take
advantage of the Advance Purchase discount to save $20 per
ticket, as detailed above. Expires 13 days after first use or January
15, 2006, whichever comes first.

Both offers are available at the Disneyland Web site (link),
some Southern California AAA offices, some Disney Stores, or your
travel agent. Must be purchased in advance, and are not available
at the Disneyland resort ticket booths.

Several readers wrote to tell us that the Safeway stores in
Central and Northern California, and Vons stores in Las Vegas, are
also offering the 3-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets. Check with your
local Safeway store for details, as the dates and benefits may differ.

Four Days

Costco Play 4 Days ticket($89/$89)  Costco
offers a discounted 4-day Disneyland Resort ticket at $89 per person,
ages 3 and up for Southern California Costco members (zip codes
90000-93599). Not a park hopper; each day is valid for either Disneyland
or Disney's California Adventure admission. Unlike the CityPass,
you must buy these tickets in person at Costco.

You get a voucher to exchange at a Disneyland Resort ticket booth
for a valid pass. Proof of local residency is required to exchange
the tickets, with a limit of 5 tickets per day. Tickets are non-transferable.

The ticket is valid through June 23, 2005, or until the fourth
admission is used. The ticket is not valid March 19  April
2, 2005.

Good Neighbor Hotel Park Hopper Plus tickets($134/$134)
through April 28, 2005  Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor
hotels can offer a 4-Day Park Hopper Plus ticket for $134, ages
3 and up (Adults and children pay the same price). No advance purchase
is required, and some hotels may even sell them to visitors who
are not staying at that property. Valid through April 28, 2005.

4-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets($129/$129)($159/$129)
 The park hopper bonus tickets currently include one early
entry admission to Fantasyland, and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. If
the Disneyland resort portion of your trip concludes by May 11,
2005, take advantage of the Adults Play for the Kids' Price
special. Through this advance purchase offer, 4-day park hopper
tickets for ages 3 and up are $129, a savings of $30-60 off the
main gate price. These tickets expire 13 days after first use or
May 11, 2005, whichever comes first.

If you plan to visit the Disneyland Resort after April 28, you
can still take advantage of the Advance Purchase discount
and save $30 per ticket, as detailed above. These tickets expire
13 days after first use or January 15, 2006, whichever comes first.

Both of these ticket offers are available through the Disneyland
Web site (link),
through some Southern California AAA offices, through some Disney
Stores, or through your travel agent. You must buy these tickets
in advance; they are not available at the Disneyland Resort ticket
booths.

California Diamond Fun Book (one per package - may not be available
when you order)

Free parking at Disneyland Resort theme parks

Early entry into Fantasyland on select days

An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address.
These tickets are available to AAA members only when purchased through
participating AAA offices.

Several readers report that their local AAA offices do not offer
this ticket, or that the benefits differ. You may remember that
this also happened with the 2004 version of this package.

MousePlanet has contacted AAA offices around the country and
encountered the same problem. If your local AAA office does not
offer the ticket, check with another AAA office in your area. The
decision to offer this ticket seems to depend on which regional
AAA club you belong to, and in some cases rest with
the office manager at each location.

The Auto Club of Southern California (ACSC) is not participating
in this offer, and AAA Oregon/Idaho offers the 5-day tickets. Some
readers have also been told that the California Diamond Fun Book
is no longer available.

5-Day Park Hopper Bonus tickets($139/$139)($169/$139)
 The park hopper bonus tickets currently include one early
entry admission to Fantasyland, and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. If
the Disneyland Resort portion of your trip concludes by May 11,
2005, take advantage of the Adults Play for the Kids' Price
special. Through this advance purchase offer, 5-day park hopper
tickets for ages 3 and up are $139, a savings of $40-70 off the
main gate price. These tickets expire 13 days after first use or
May 11, 2005, whichever comes first.

If you plan to visit the Disneyland Resort after April 28, take
advantage of the Advance Purchase discount and save $40 per
ticket, as detailed in above. These tickets expire 13 days after
first use or January 15, 2006, whichever comes first.

Both of these ticket offers are available through the Disneyland
Web site (link),
through some Southern California AAA offices, through some Disney
Stores, or through your travel agent. These tickets must be purchased
in advance, and are not available at the Disneyland resort ticket
booths.

Alaska Airlines Kids Fly Free promotion through
April 28, 2005  If you have to fly to Southern California,
Alaska Airlines has a package that includes either a free 5-day
park hopper with each paid adult ticket, or an adult 5-day park
hopper for the children's price. You must book packages by March
21, and like most current promotions, travel must be completed by
April 28. Visit the Alaska Airlines Web site (link)
for more details.

Six or Seven Days

Disney's AAA Passport Plus Package 2005  The Parkhopper
Plus package may be available in 6- or 7- day increments at participating
AAA offices. Check with your local AAA office for availability and
pricing:

California Diamond Fun Book (one per package - may not be available
when you order)

Free parking at Disneyland Resort theme parks

An additional handling fee of $10 is charged per mailing address.
These tickets are available to AAA members only when purchased through
AAA offices.

Several readers report that their local AAA offices do not offer
this ticket, or that the benefits differ. You may remember that
this also happened with the 2004 version of this package. MousePlanet
has contacted AAA offices around the country, and encountered the
same problem. If your local AAA office does not offer the ticket,
check with another AAA office in your area. The decision to offer
this ticket seems to depend on which regional AAA club
you belong to, and in some cases rests with the office manager at
each location.

The Auto Club of Southern California (ACSC) is not participating
in this offer, and AAA Oregon/Idaho offers the 5-day tickets. Some
readers have also been told that the California Diamond Fun Book
is no longer available.

Special thanks to MousePlanet reader David Michael for some of
this information.

Alaska Airlines Kids Fly Free promotion returns

Alaska Airlines is repeating the popular Kids Fly Free promotion
for travel to the Disneyland Resort, and is offering park ticket and hotel
discounts as well.

If you book an Alaska Airlines Southern California Vacations package
for travel through June 29, one child (age 2-11) can fly free with each
paid adult ticket. The package also includes four nights at the Holiday
Inn Buena Park and airport transfers via Karmel Shuttle (children 2-11
are free). The packages, including airfare and hotel, start at $429 per
person.

Even better, if you travel through April 28, you also receive a free
child's 5-day Disneyland Resort park hopper for each paid adult. If you
are traveling without children, you can instead purchase the adult 5-day
park hopper ticket at the children's price. Be aware, however, that Disneyland
considers 11-year-olds to be adults for the purpose of admission pricing.

If Buena Park is too far away from Disneyland for you, you can upgrade
to a Disneyland Resort hotel and receive up to $200 Disney Dollars with
a stay of four nights or more before April 24, 2005.

Finally, if you book the package through alaskaair.com, you get 1500
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Bonus Miles per passenger. For more information,
visit the Alaska Airlines Web site (link).
You must book packages by March 21, 2005.

50th Anniversary Package, revised

The Happiest Homecomings on Earth package has been revised for the new
year. The previous promotion was good only for three-night stays at the
Disneyland Resort hotels; the new offer is valid on longer stays and includes
Good Neighbor Hotels as well.

Instead of the 50th anniversary commemorative clock and Walk in Walt's
Footsteps tour, the new packages include all the following:

Enchanting commemorative certificate (one per package)

Park Hopper bonus ticket, which includes one early entry into Fantasyland
and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. (Park hopper tickets can be upgraded
to an annual pass for an extra fee)

Preferred seating to select shows at Disney's California Adventure

Entry into Mickey's Toontown Madness

Walt Disney Travel Co. lanyard and pin (one per person)

Walt Disney Travel Co. luggage tag

Walt Disney Travel Co. fun book (one per package)

The Happiest Homecoming on Earth package is available for
arrival dates through December 31, 2005. The package can be booked through
the Disneyland Web site (link),
or by calling (714) 520-5060.

MousePlanet® is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.